South Africans Raise Over R140,000 for Hawks Officer’s Stolen Coffee Machine After Emotional Madlanga Commission Testimony
In a heartwarming display of public solidarity, more than R140,000 has been raised in under 24 hours to replace the stolen coffee machine of Warrant Officer Karl Sander, a KZN Hawks narcotics expert who testified this week at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.
Sander, a veteran investigator with extensive experience in high-profile drug cases, made headlines during his testimony when he emotionally described his personal coffee machine as his “only safe space” in a hostile work environment. The machine was stolen from the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) offices, after which he was subjected to a polygraph test over its theft, ordered by a senior manager.
“My only safe space was my coffee machine, and then they stole my coffee machine inside the DPCI,” Sander told the commission, adding with a laugh that the incident was still annoying. He was also polygraphed in connection with the high-profile 2021 theft of 541kg of cocaine worth around R200 million from a Port Shepstone Hawks facility, despite not working there at the time and being on leave. Evidence presented at the commission later cleared him of involvement.
The BackaBuddy crowdfunding campaign, launched by supporter Kyle van Reenen with an initial modest target of R5,000, quickly went viral as South Africans responded to Sander’s story of alleged internal victimisation after stepping on the toes of drug cartels and facing transfers, denied promotions, and a toxic workplace.
Donations poured in from across the country, with the total surpassing R100,000 within hours and continuing to climb past R140,000 (and reportedly higher in some updates). Organisers have warned of copycat “mirror” campaigns and urged supporters to donate only to the verified original page. Excess funds are expected to support related causes, such as K9 training.
The outpouring of support highlights widespread admiration for dedicated officers battling both external crime syndicates and alleged internal challenges. As one social media user put it, many South Africans simply wanted to ensu